Ralston & Anthony | Paradise Coast Title & Escrow

FinCEN Real Estate Reporting: What the New Federal Rule Means for Buyers, Sellers, and Agents in Southwest Florida

Ralston & Anthony — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:04:11 +0000

If you’ve been hearing about new federal reporting requirements tied to real estate transactions and wondering what they actually mean for your next closing, you’re not alone. The FinCEN Residential Real Estate Rule has generated significant attention — and significant confusion — across the industry. Here’s what you need to know. FinCEN — the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network — is a…

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Are Real Estate Taxes the Same as Property Taxes? A Florida Homebuyer’s Guide

Ralston & Anthony — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:31:33 +0000

If you’ve ever reviewed a closing disclosure or property listing and wondered whether “real estate taxes” are different from “property taxes,” you’re not alone. The terms are often used interchangeably, but confusion can arise — especially for first-time buyers or those relocating to Florida from other states. In markets like Naples, Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers, where many buyers are…

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What Is a Short Sale in Real Estate? A Florida Buyer and Seller Guide

Ralston & Anthony — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:18:39 +0000

Real estate doesn’t always move in a straight line. Market shifts, job changes, rising costs, or unexpected life events can put homeowners in difficult financial positions. When a property’s value drops below the remaining mortgage balance, a short sale may become an option. In Florida—and particularly in areas like Naples, Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers—short sales tend to surface during…

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Florida’s Cooling Housing Market: What Sellers Really Need to Know in 2026

Ralston & Anthony — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 05:00:20 +0000

Florida real estate has enjoyed one of the fastest, most dramatic surges in the country over the past few years — and now, many of the metros that once topped the national appreciation charts are appearing on the lists for fastest cooling markets. For sellers, this shift can feel like whiplash. You spent years hearing about bidding wars, record sale prices, and buyers lining up the moment a home…

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Attorney Guarantee Letters vs. Title Insurance in Florida: What Homebuyers Need to Know

Ralston & Anthony — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 20:39:11 +0000

If you’re buying a home in Florida, you might come across the term Attorney Guarantee Letter — sometimes presented as a less expensive alternative to title insurance. On the surface, it can sound appealing: why pay for an insurance policy if an attorney can certify the title is clean? But here’s the truth — in Florida, an attorney’s letter is not a substitute for title insurance…

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